be to give a default value to a variable normally read from the command-line arguments, when no such arg... be to give a default value to a variable normally read from the command-line arguments, when no such arg... in Korn shell and bash -- and I find it easier to read (since I don't have to squint at me screen wonder... asswd | ( \
IFS=: ; while read lognam pw id gp fname home sh; \